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Scofield Reference Bible Notes/Revelation

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3916497Scofield Reference Bible Notes — RevelationCyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - Revelation

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Read first chapter of Revelation
WRITER: The Apostle John ( 1:1)
DATE: A.D. 96
THEME: The theme of the Revelation is Jesus Christ ( 1:1), presented in a threefold way:

  • As to time: "which is, and which was, and which is to come" (1:4);
  • As to relationships--the churches (1:9-3:22), to the tribulation (4:1-19:21), to the kingdom (20:1-22:21);
  • In His offices--High Priest (8:3-6), Bridegroom (19:7-9), King-Judge (20:1-15).


But while Christ is thus the central theme of the book, all of the events move toward one consummation, the bringing in of the covenanted kingdom. The key-phrase is the prophetic declaration of the "great voices in heaven" (Revelation 11:15), lit, "The world kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ has come." The book is, therefore, a prophecy (Revelation 1:3).
The three major divisions of Revelation must be clearly held if the interpretation is to be sane and coherent. John was commanded to "write" concerning three classes of "things" (Revelation 1:19):

  • Things past, "the things thou hast seen," i.e. the Patmos vision, 1:1-20.
  • Things present, "the things which are," i.e. things then existing--obviously the churches. The temple had been destroyed, the Jews dispersed: the testimony of God had been committed to the Churches (1 Timothy 3:15). Accordingly we have seven messages to seven representative churches, 2:1-3:22. It is noteworthy that the church is not mentioned in chapters 5-18.
  • Things future, "things which shall be hereafter," lit. "after these," i.e. after the church period ends, 4:1-22:21. The third major division, as Erdman (W.J.) has pointed out, falls into a series of six sevens, with parenthetical passages, making, with the church division, seven sevens.


The six sevens are:

  • The seals, 4:1-8:1.
  • The seven trumpets, 8:2-11:19.
  • The seven personages, 12:1-14,20.
  • The seven vials (bowls), 15:1-16:21.
  • The seven dooms, 17:1-20:15.
  • The seven new things, 21:1-22:21.


The parenthetical passages are:

  • The Jewish remnant and the tribulation saints, 7:1-17.
  • The angel, the little book, the two witnesses, 10:1-11:14.
  • The Lamb, the Remnant, and the everlasting Gospel, 14:1-13.
  • The gathering of the kings at Armageddon, 16:13-16.
  • The four alleluias in heaven, 19:1-6. These passages do not advance the prophetic narrative. Looking backward and forward they sum up results accomplished, and speak of results yet to come as if they had already come. In Re14:1, for example, the Lamb and Remnant are seen prophetically on Mount Sion, though they are not actually there till Re20:4-6.


The end of the church period (2-3.) is left indeterminate. It will end by the fulfilment of 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. Chapters 4-19. are believed to synchronize with Daniel's Seventieth Week ( (See Scofield "Daniel 9:24"). The great tribulation begins at the middle of the week," and continues three and a half years (Revelation 11:3-19:21). The tribulation is brought to an end by the appearing of the Lord and the battle of Armageddon (Matthew 24:29,30; Revelation 19:11-21). The kingdom follows (Revelation 20:4,5); after this the "little season" (Revelation 20:7-15), and then eternity.
Interpreters of the Revelation should bear in mind two important passages: 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:20,21. Doubtless much which is designedly obscure to us will be clear to those for whom it was written as the time approaches.

CHAPTER 1

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Verse 1

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 5

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sins
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 9

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isle
From 1:1 to 1:20 the Seer is on the earth, looking at the vision of Christ.; 2:1 to 3:22 he is on the earth looking forward through the church-age.; 4:1 to 11:1 he is "in the Spirit" (Revelation 4:2; cf Ezekiel 3:12-14) observing things in heaven and on earth.; 11:1 to 11:12 he is in Jerusalem with the two witnesses. 11:13 to the end he is in heaven observing and recording things in heaven and upon the earth.

Verse 10

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voice The theophanies. Revelation 1:9-20; Genesis 12:7

Verse 18

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hell
Hades, (See Scofield "Luke 16:23").

Verse 19

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hereafter
things that are to be after these, i.e. after the churches.

Verse 20

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angels
The natural explanation of the "messengers" is that they were men sent by the seven churches to ascertain the state of the aged apostle, now an exile in Patmos (cf) Philippians 4:18 but they figure any who bear God's messages to a church.
churches
The messages to the seven churches have a fourfold application:

  • (1) Local, to the churches actually addressed;
  • (2) admonitory, to all churches in all time as tests by which they may discern their true spiritual state in the sight of God;
  • (3) personal, in the exhortations to him "that hath an ear," and in the promise "to him that overcometh";
  • (4) prophetic, as disclosing seven phases of the spiritual history of the church from, say, A.D. 96 to the end. It is incredible that in a prophecy covering the church period, there should be no such foreview. These messages must contain that foreview if it is in the book at all, for the church does not appear after Revelation 3:22. Again, these messages by their very terms go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. Most conclusively of all, these messages do present an exact foreview of the spiritual history of the church, and in this precise order. Ephesus gives the general state at the date of the writing; Smyrna, the period of the great persecutions; Pergamos, the church settled down in the world, "where Satan's throne is," after the conversion of Constantine, say A.D. 316. Thyatira is the Papacy, developed out of the Pergamos state: Balaamism (worldliness) and Nicolaitanism (priestly assumption) having conquered. As Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies. Sardis is the Protestant Reformation, whose works were not "fulfilled." Philadelphia is whatever bears clear testimony to the Word and the Name in the time of self-satisfied profession represented by Laodicea.


mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").

CHAPTER 2

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Verse 1

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angels
The natural explanation of the "messengers" is that they were men sent by the seven churches to ascertain the state of the aged apostle, now an exile in Patmos (cf) Philippians 4:18 but they figure any who bear God's messages to a church.
churches
The messages to the seven churches have a fourfold application:

  • (1) Local, to the churches actually addressed;
  • (2) admonitory, to all churches in all time as tests by which they may discern their true spiritual state in the sight of God;
  • (3) personal, in the exhortations to him "that hath an ear," and in the promise "to him that overcometh";
  • (4) prophetic, as disclosing seven phases of the spiritual history of the church from, say, A.D. 96 to the end. It is incredible that in a prophecy covering the church period, there should be no such foreview. These messages must contain that foreview if it is in the book at all, for the church does not appear after Revelation 3:22. Again, these messages by their very terms go beyond the local assemblies mentioned. Most conclusively of all, these messages do present an exact foreview of the spiritual history of the church, and in this precise order. Ephesus gives the general state at the date of the writing; Smyrna, the period of the great persecutions; Pergamos, the church settled down in the world, "where Satan's throne is," after the conversion of Constantine, say A.D. 316. Thyatira is the Papacy, developed out of the Pergamos state: Balaamism (worldliness) and Nicolaitanism (priestly assumption) having conquered. As Jezebel brought idolatry into Israel, so Romanism weds Christian doctrine to pagan ceremonies. Sardis is the Protestant Reformation, whose works were not "fulfilled." Philadelphia is whatever bears clear testimony to the Word and the Name in the time of self-satisfied profession represented by Laodicea.


mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").

Verse 6

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Nicolaitanes
From nikao, "to conquer," and laos, "the people," or "laity." There is no ancient authority for a sect of the Nicolaitanes. If the word is symbolic it refers to the earliest form of the notion of a priestly order, or "clergy," which later divided an equal brotherhood Matthew 23:8 into "priests" and "laity." What in Ephesus was "deeds" Revelation 2:6 had become in Pergamos a "doctrine Revelation 2:15.
Nicolaitanes Revelation 2:15, contra, ; 1 Peter 5:2,3; Matthew 24:49.

Verse 8

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 12

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 14

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The "doctrine" of Balaam
The doctrine of Balaam (CF) (See Scofield "2 Peter 2:15") See Scofield "Jude 1:11" was his teaching Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed. ; Numbers 31:15,16; 22:5; 23:8 by tempting them to marry women of Moab, defile their separation, and abandon their pilgrim character. It is that union with the world and the church which is spiritual unchastity. James 4:4. Pergamos had lost the pilgrim character and was "dwelling" Revelation 2:13 "where Satan's throne is," in the world. ; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.

Verse 17

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a white stone
Signifies approval.

Verse 18

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 3

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Verse 1

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 2

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perfect
(See Scofield "Matthew 5:48").

Verse 5

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 7

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 10

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world
"oikoumene" = inhabited earth. (See Scofield "Luke 2:1").

Verse 12

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go no more
See, Psalms 23:6, contrast, Hebrews 13:14.

Verse 21

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Father
This passage, in harmony with Luke 1:32,33; Matthew 19:28; Acts 2:30,34,35; Acts 15:14-16 is conclusive that Christ is not now seated upon His own throne. The Davidic Covenant, and the promises of God through the prophets and Angle Gabriel concerning the Messianic kingdom await fulfilment.

CHAPTER 4

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Verse 1

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Come up hither
This call seems clearly to indicate the fulfilment of 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. The word "church" does not again occur in the Revelation till all is fulfilled.

Verse 6

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 8

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beasts
beasts living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5")
God Almighty Jehovah of hosts. Isaiah 6:3

Verse 9

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5")

CHAPTER 5

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Verse 2

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 6

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 7

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came
Cf. Daniel 7:13,14. The two visions are identical; the Revelation adding that which was hidden from Daniel, that the kings and priests of the church-age are to be associated with the "Son of Man," the "Lamb as it had been slain," in His reign "on the earth" Revelation 2:9,10.

Verse 8

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 9

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redeemed
(See Scofield "Romans 3:24").

Verse 11

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 14

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

CHAPTER 6

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Come and see Come! Omit "and see." So Revelation 1:3,5,7

Verse 2

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a white horse
See, Zechariah 6:3, cf. Christ in Revelation 19:11 whom the Beast imitates.

Verse 3

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beast living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").
Come and see Come! Omit "and see." So Revelation 6:1,5,7.

Verse 5

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beast living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").
Come and see Come! Omit "and see." So Revelation 6:1,3,7.

Verse 6

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 7

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beast living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").
Come and see Come! Omit "and see." So Revelation 6:1,3,5

Verse 8

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hades
(See Scofield "Luke 16:23").

Verse 11

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fulfilled
i.e. their number filled up.

CHAPTER 7

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Verse 1

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 2

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 10

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salvation
(See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 11

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angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
beasts living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 14

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tribulation
The great tribulation is the period of unexampled trouble predicted in the passages cited under that head from Psalms 2:5 to Revelation 7:14 and described in Re 11.-18. Involving in a measure the whole earth Revelation 3:10 it is yet distinctly "the time of Jacob's trouble" Jeremiah 30:7 and its vortex Jerusalem and the Holy Land. It involves the people of God who will have returned to Palestine in unbelief. Its duration is three and a half years, or the last half of the seventieth week of Daniel. (See Scofield "Daniel 9:24"). Revelation 11:2,3 The elements of the tribulation are:

  • (1) The cruel reign of the "beast out of the sea" Revelation 13:1 who at the beginning of the three and a half years, will break his covenant with the Jews (by virtue of which they will have re-established the temple worship, Daniel 9:27 and show himself in the temple, demanding that he be worshipped as God ; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
  • (2) The active interposition of Satan "having great wrath" Revelation 12:12 who gives his power to the Beast Revelation 13:4,5.
  • (3) The unprecedented activity of demons Revelation 9:2,11 and
  • (4) the terrible "bowl" judgments of Re 16.


The great tribulation will be, however, a period of salvation. An election out of Israel is seen as sealed for God Revelation 7:4-8 and, with an innumerable multitude of Gentiles Revelation 7:9 are said to have come "out of the great tribulation" Revelation 7:14. They are not of the priesthood, the church, to which they seem to stand somewhat in the relation of the Levites to the priests under the Mosaic Covenant. The great tribulation is immediately followed by the return of Christ in glory, and the events associated therewith Matthew 24:29,30.
See "Remnant" Isaiah 1:9.
(See Scofield "Romans 11:5"). "Beast" See Scofield "Daniel 9:24" See Scofield "Revelation 19:20" "Armageddon" Revelation 16:14. See Scofield "Revelation 19:17".

Verse 17

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God
Adonai Jehovah. Isaiah 25:8.

CHAPTER 8

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Verse 2

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angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
trumpets These are trumpets of angels; contrast "the trump of God" 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:52; Joel 2:1; Amos 3:6.

Verse 3

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 4

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angel's
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 5

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 6

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 7

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 10

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")
star Cf. Revelation 9:1; Isaiah 14:12 contra, Daniel 12:3

Verse 12

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 13

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 9

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Verse 2

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smoke
Contra, Revelation 21:24; Joel 2:10.

Verse 4

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which had not
Revelation 7:2,3 contra, Revelation 13:16,17.

Verse 9

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breastplates
Revelation 9:17, contra, Ephesians 6:14.

Verse 11

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
Apollyon i.e. Destroyer. Cf. Job 26:6; 1 Peter 5:8.

Verse 13

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 15

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 10

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Verse 2

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a little book
Contra, Revelation 5:1; Psalms 40:7; 2 Peter 1:19-21.

Verse 5

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 7

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11").

Verse 8

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angel
See note, (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 9

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")
Take it Cf. Ezekiel 2:8,9; 3:1-3.
(See Scofield "Ezekiel 3:3")

Verse 10

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 11

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Verse 2

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tread
See "Times of the Gentiles." (See Scofield "Luke 21:24").

Verse 4

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God
Adonai. Zechariah 4:14.

Verse 8

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great city
i.e. Jerusalem.

Verse 15

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").
world kosmos = world-system. John 7:7
(See Scofield "Revelation 13:8").

CHAPTER 12

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Verse 6

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a thousand
Revelation 11:2,3; 13:5; Daniel 9:27; 7:14 (See Scofield "Daniel 7:14").

Verse 7

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 9

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world "oikoumene" = inhabited earth. (See Scofield "Luke 2:1").
angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 10

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kingdom of our God
The Dispensation of the Kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16 refs.) begins with the return of Christ to the earth, runs through the "thousand years" of His earth-rule, and ends when He has delivered up the kingdom to the Father. (See Scofield "1 Corinthians 15:24").
salvation (See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

CHAPTER 13

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Verse 1

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rise up
Daniel's fourth beast, (See Scofield "Daniel 7:26") , The "ten horns" are explained in Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:12 to be ten kings, and the whole vision is of the last form of Gentile world-power, a confederated ten-kingdom empire covering the sphere of authority of ancient Rome. Revelation 13:1-3 refers to the ten-kingdom empire; vs. Revelation 13:4-10 to the emperor, who is emphatically "the Beast."
(See Scofield "Revelation 19:20").

Verse 2

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like unto a leopard
The three animals, leopard, bear, and lion, are found in Daniel 7:4-6 as symbols of the empires which preceded Rome, and whose characteristics all entered into the qualities of the Roman empire: Macedonian swiftness of conquest, Persian tenacity of purpose, Babylonish voracity.

Verse 3

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wounded to death
Fragments of the ancient Roman empire have never ceased to exist as separate kingdoms. It was the imperial form of government which ceased; the one head wounded to death. What we have prophetically in Revelation 13:3 is the restoration of the imperial form as such, though over a federated empire of ten kingdoms; the "head" is "healed," i.e. restored; there is an emperor again--the Beast.
world
ge = earth. John 7:7, (See Scofield "Revelation 13:8").

Verse 8

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world
Kosmos, Summary: In the sense of the present world-system, the ethically bad sense of the word, refers to the "order," "arrangement," under which Satan has organized the world of unbelieving mankind upon his cosmic principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and pleasure. Matthew 4:8,9; John 12:31; 14:30; 18:36; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; 1 John 2:15-17. This world- system is imposing and powerful with armies and fleets; is often outwardly religious, scientific, cultured, and elegant; but, seething with national and commercial rivalries and ambitions, is upheld in any real crisis only by armed force, and is dominated by Satanic principles.

Verse 16

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he causeth
Antichrist the person is to be distinguished from the "many antichrists" 1 John 2:18 and the "spirit of antichrist" 1 John 4:3 which characterizes all. The supreme mark of all is the denial of the Christian truth of the incarnation of the Logos, the eternal Son in Jesus as the Christ John 1:1,14.
(See Scofield "Matthew 1:16").
The "many antichrists" precede and prepare the way for the Antichrist, who is "the Beast out of the earth" of Revelation 13:11-17 and the "false prophet" of ; Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10. He is the last ecclesiastical head, as the Beast of Revelation 13:1-8 is the last civil head. For purposes of persecution he is permitted to exercise the autocratic power of the emperor- Beast.
(See Scofield "Revelation 19:20").

CHAPTER 14

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Verse 1

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written in
See, Revelation 7:3; 22:4 contra: Revelation 13:16.

Verse 4

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redeemed
(See Scofield "Romans 3:24").

Verse 6

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gospel
Gospel. This great theme may be summarized as follows:
I. In itself the word Gospel means good news.
II. Four forms of the Gospel are to be distinguished"

  • (1) The Gospel of the kingdom. This is the good news that God purposes to set up on the earth, in fulfilment of the Davidic Covenant 2 Samuel 7:16 a kingdom, political, spiritual, Israelitish, universal, over which God's Son, David's heir, shall be King, and which shall be, for one thousand years, the manifestation of the righteousness of God in human affairs. (See Scofield "Matthew 3:2").


Two preachings of this Gospel are mentioned, one past, beginning with the ministry of John the Baptist, continued by our Lord and His disciples, and ending with the Jewis rejection of the King. The other is yet future Matthew 24:14 during the great tribulation, and immediately preceding the coming of the King in glory.

  • (2) The Gospel of the grace of God. This is the good news that Jesus Christ, the rejected King, has died on the cross for the sins of the world, that He was raised from the dead for our justification, and that by Him all that believe are justified from all things. This form of the Gospel is described in many ways. It is the Gospel "of God" Romans 1:1 because it originates in His love; "of Christ" 2 Corinthians 10:14 because it flows from His sacrifice, and because He is the alone Object of Gospel faith; of the "grace of God" Acts 20:24 because it saves those whom the law curses; of "the glory" ; 1 Timothy 1:11; 2 Corinthians 4:4 because it concerns Him who is in the glory, and who is bringing the many sons to glory Hebrews 2:10 of "our salvation" Ephesians 1:13 because it is the "power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" Romans 1:16 of "the uncircumcision" Galatians 2:7 because it saves wholly apart from forms and ordinances of "peace" Ephesians 6:15 because through Christ it makes peace between the sinner and God, and imparts inward peace.
  • (3) The everlasting Gospel Revelation 14:6. This is to be preached to the earth-dwellers at the very end of the great tribulation and immediately preceding the judgment of the nations Matthew 15:31. It is neither the Gospel of the kingdom, nor of grace. Though its burden is judgment, not salvation, it is good news to Israel and to those who, during the tribulation, have been saved ; Revelation 7:9-14; Luke 21:28; Psalms 96:11-13; Isaiah 35:4-10.
  • (4) That which Paul calls, "my Gospel" Romans 2:16. This is the Gospel of the grace of God in its fullest development, but includes the revelation of the result of that Gospel in the outcalling of the church, her relationships, position, privileges, and responsibility. It is the distinctive truth of Ephesians and Colossians, but interpenetrates all of Paul's writings.


III. There is "another Gospel" Galatians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 11:4 "which is not another," but a perversion of the Gospel of the grace of God, against which we are warned. It has many seductive forms, but the test is one--it invariably denies the sufficiency of grace alone to save, keep, and perfect, and mingles with grace some kind of human merit. In Galatia it was law, in Colosse fanaticism Colossians 2:18, etc. In any form its teachers lie under the awful anathema of God.
angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 8

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 9

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 10

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 11

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no rest
Contra, Revelation 4:8.

Verse 14

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like unto the Son
Cf. Matthew 26:64, Contra, 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

Verse 15

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 17

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 19

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

CHAPTER 15

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Verse 1

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 6

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 7

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4") ,

Verse 8

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

CHAPTER 16

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Verse 1

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 3

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 8

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 10

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 12

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 14

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kings Times of the Gentiles Revelation 16:19; Luke 21:24.
world "oikoumene" = inhabited earth. (See Scofield "Luke 2:1").

Verse 16

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Armageddon
i.e. Mount of Slaughter.

Verse 17

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 19

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Babylon
Summary: The Times of the Gentiles is that long period beginning with the Babylonian captivity of Judah, under Nebuchadnezzar, and to be brought to an end by the destruction of Gentile world-power by the "stone cut out without hands" Daniel 2:34,35,44 i.e., the coming of the Lord in glory Revelation 19:11,21 until which time Jerusalem is politically subject to Gentile rule. Luke 21:24.
kings "Times of the Gentiles" Revelation 16:19; Luke 21:24.
Babylon (See Scofield "Isaiah 13:1")

CHAPTER 17

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Verse 1

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angels (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 5

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mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11")
Babylon See note 2, Isaiah 13:1 (See Scofield "Isaiah 13:1")

Verse 7

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angel (See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")
mystery (See Scofield "Matthew 13:11")

CHAPTER 18

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Verse 1

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 2

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Babylon
Babylon, "confusion," is repeatedly used by the prophets in a symbolic sense ( (See Scofield "Isaiah 13:2") ), note 2. Two "Babylons" are to be distinguished in the Revelation: ecclesiastical babylon, which is apostate Christendom, headed up under the Papacy; and political babylon, which is the Beast's confederated empire, the last form of Gentile world-dominion. Ecclesiastical Babylon is "the great whore" Revelation 17:1 and is destroyed by political Babylon Revelation 17:15-18 that the beast may be the alone object of worship. ; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4; Revelation 13:15. The power of political Babylon is destroyed by the return of the Lord in glory. (See "Armageddon,") ; Revelation 16:14; 19:17. The notion of a literal Babylon to be rebuilt on the site of ancient Babylon is in conflict with Isaiah 13:19-22. But the language of Revelation 18:10,16,18 seems beyond question to identify "Babylon," the "city" of luxury and traffic, with "Babylon" the ecclesiastical centre, viz. Rome. The very kings who hate ecclesiastical Babylon deplore the destruction of commercial Babylon.

Verse 4

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sins
Sin. (See Scofield "Romans 3:23").

Verse 10

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Babylon
(See Scofield "Isaiah 13:1") , note 2.

Verse 22

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voice
Cf. Isaiah 24:8 contra, Revelation 14:1-3.

CHAPTER 19

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Verse 1

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Salvation (See Scofield "Romans 1:16").

Verse 4

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beasts
living creatures. (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5").

Verse 7

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wife
The "Lamb's wife" here is the "bride" Revelation 21:9 the Church, identified with the "heavenly Jerusalem" Hebrews 12:22,23 and to be distinguished from Israel, the adulterous and repudiated "wife" of Jehovah, yet to be restored ; Isaiah 54:1-10; Hosea 2:1-17 who is identified with the earth Hosea 2:23. A forgiven and restored wife could not be called either a virgin 2 Corinthians 11:2,3 or a bride.

Verse 8

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righteousness
The garment is Scripture is a symbol of righteousness. In the bad ethical sense it symbolizes self-righteousness (e.g) Isaiah 64:6; Philippians 3:6-8 the best that a moral and religious man under law could do). In the good ethical sense the garment symbolizes "the righteousness of God...upon all them that believe."
(See Scofield "Romans 3:21").

Verse 11

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saw heaven opened
saw heaven opened
The vision is of the departure from heaven of Christ and the saints and angels preparatory to the catastrophe in which Gentile world-power, headed up in the Beast, is smitten by the "stone cut out without hands," Daniel 2:34,35.
white horse Contra, Revelation 6:2; Psalms 45:4, contra, Matthew 21:2-5
Day of the Lord (Day of Jehovah) vs. Isaiah 2:10-22; 4:1-6 ; 11:10-13; 13:9-16 ; 24:21-23; 26:20,21 63:1-6; 66:15-24; Revelation 19:11-21.

Verse 17

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Come
Armageddon (the ancient hill and valley of Megiddo, west of Jordan in the plain of Jezreel) is the appointed place for the beginning of the great battle in which the Lord, at His coming in glory, will deliver the Jewish remnant besieged by the Gentile world- powers under the Beast and False Prophet Revelation 16:13-16; Zechariah 12:1-9. Apparently the besieging hosts, whose approach to Jerusalem is described in Isaiah 10:28-32 alarmed by the signs which precede the Lord's coming Matthew 24:29,30 have fallen back to Megiddo, after the events of Zechariah 14:2 where their destruction begins; a destruction consummated in Moab and the plains of Idumea Isaiah 63:1-6. This battle is the first event in "the day of Jehovah" Isaiah 2:12 and is the fulfilment of the smiting-stone prophecy of Daniel 2:35.

Verse 19

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make war
The day of Jehovah (called, also, "that day," and "the great day") is that lengthened period of time beginning with the return of the Lord in glory, and ending with the purgation of the heavens and the earth by fire preparatory to the new heavens and the new earth Isaiah 65:17-19; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1. The order of events appears to be:


The day of the Lord is preceded by seven signs:


make war Armageddon (battle of). See note, Revelation 16:14; 19:17 (See Scofield "Revelation 19:17")

Verse 20

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Beast
The Beast, Summary: This "Beast" is the "little horn" of Daniel 7:24-26 and "desolator" of Daniel 9:27 the "abomination of desolation" of Matthew 24:15 the "man of sin" of 2 Thessalonians 2:4-8 earth's last and most awful tyrant, Satan's fell instrument of wrath and hatred against God and the Jewish saints. He is, perhaps, identical with the rider on the white horse of Revelation 6:2 who begins by the peaceful conquest of three of the ten kingdoms into which the former Roman empire will then be divided, but who soon establishes the ecclesiastical and governmental tyranny described in Dan. 7., 9., 11.; Re 13. To him Satan gives the power which he offered to Christ. ; Matthew 4:8,9; Revelation 13:4. See "The great tribulation," Psalms 2:5.
(See Scofield "Revelation 7:14").

CHAPTER 20

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Verse 2

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thousand years
The duration of the kingdom of heaven in its mediatorial form (See Scofield "1 Corinthians 15:24").

Verse 5

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first resurrection
The "resurrection of the just" is mentioned in Luke 14:13,14 and the resurrection of "life" distinguished from the "resurrection unto damnation" in John 5:29. We here learn for the first time what interval of time separates these two resurrections.
(See Scofield "1 Corinthians 15:52").

Verse 8

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Gog
(See Scofield "Ezekiel 38:2").

Verse 10

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devil
Satan, Summary: This fearful being, apparently created one of the cherubim (See Scofield "Ezekiel 1:5") See Scofield "Ezekiel 28:12" and anointed for a position of great authority, perhaps over the primitive creation, (note 3); See Scofield "Genesis 1:2" Ezekiel 28:11-15 fell through pride Isaiah 14:12-14 His "I will" Isaiah 14:13 marks the introduction of sin into the universe. Cast out of heaven Luke 10:18 he makes earth and air the scene of his tireless activity ; Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8. After the creation of man he entered into the serpent. See Scofield "Genesis 3:1", and, beguiling Eve by his subtilty, secured the downfall of Adam and through him of the race, and the entrance of sin into the world of men Romans 5:12-14.
The Adamic Covenant (See Scofield "Genesis 3:14") promised the ultimate destruction of Satan through the "Seed of the woman." Then began his long warfare against the work of God in behalf of humanity, which still continues. The present world-system Revelation 13:8 organized upon the principle of force, greed, selfishness, ambition, and sinful pleasure, is his work and was the bribe which he offered to Christ Matthew 4:8,9. Of that world-system he is prince ; John 14:30; 16:11 and god 2 Corinthians 4:4. As "prince of the power of the air" Ephesians 2:2 he is at the head of vast host of demons. See Scofield "Matthew 7:22". To him, under God, was committed upon earth the power of death Hebrews 2:14. Cast out of heaven as his proper sphere and "first estate," he still has access to God as the "accuser of the brethren" Revelation 12:10 and is permitted a certain power of sifting or testing the self-confident and carnal among believers ; Job 1:6-11; Luke 22:31,32; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20 but this is strictly permissive and limited power, and believers so sifted are kept in faith through the advocacy of Christ Luke 22:31,32. See Scofield "1 John 2:1". At the beginning of the great tribulation Satan's privilege of access to God as accuser will be withdrawn Revelation 12:7-12. At the return of Christ in glory Satan will be bound for one thousand years Revelation 20:2 after which he will be "loosed for a little season" Revelation 20:3,7,8 and will become the head of final effort to overthrow the kingdom. Defeated in this, he will be finally cast into the lake of fire, his final doom. The notion that he reigns in hell is Miltonic, not biblical. He is prince of this present world-system, but will be tormented in the lake of fire.

Verse 11

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And I saw
great white throne
The expressions, "the judgment," or, "day of judgment," as the passages and their context show, refer to the final judgment of Revelation 20:11-15.
there was found no place for him
The "day of destruction" is that aspect of the day of Jehovah Isaiah 2:12. (See Scofield "Revelation 19:19") (Summary) which visits final and eternal judgment upon the wicked. Three such "days" are included in the "day" of Jehovah, and are described in the references beginning with Isaiah 34:1-9. See Scofield "Matthew 25:32".
And I saw (See Scofield "Revelation 20:12").

Verse 12

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judged
The final judgment. The subjects are the "dead." As the redeemed were raised from among the dead one thousand years before Revelation 20:5 and have been in glory with Christ during that period, the "dead" can only be the wicked dead, from the beginning to the setting up of the great white throne in space. As there are degrees of punishment Luke 12:27,48 the dead are judged according to their works. The book of life is there to answer such as plead their works for justification, e.g. Matthew 7:22,23 an awful blank where the name might have been.
The Judgments, Summary: Among the many judgments mentioned in Scripture, seven are invested with especial significance. These are:

  • (1) The judgment of the Believer's sins in the cross of Christ (See Scofield "John 12:31").
  • (2) the believer's self-judgment (See Scofield "1 Corinthians 11:31").
  • (3) the judgment of the believers' works (See Scofield "2 Corinthians 5:10")
  • (4) the judgment of the nations at the return of Christ (See Scofield "Matthew 25:32")
  • (5) the judgment of Israel at the return of Christ (See Scofield "Ezekiel 20:37")
  • (6) the judgment of angels after the one thousand years (See Scofield "Jude 1:6") , and
  • (7) the judgment of the wicked dead with which the history of the present earth ends.


Verse 13

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hell
(See Scofield "Luke 16:23").

Verse 14

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second death
Second death, Summary: "The second death" and the "lake of fire" are identical terms Revelation 20:14 and are used of the eternal state of the wicked. It is "second" relative to the preceding physical death of the wicked in unbelief and rejection of God; their eternal state is one of eternal "death" (i.e. separation from God) in sins John 8:21,24. That the second death is not annihilation is shown by a comparison of ; Revelation 19:20; 20:10. After one thousand years in the lake of fire the Beast and False Prophet are still there, undestroyed. The words "forever and forever" ("to the ages of the ages") are used in Hebrews 1:8 for the duration of the throne of God, eternal in the sense of unending.

CHAPTER 21

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Verse 8

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second death
Second death, Summary: "The second death" and the "lake of fire" are identical terms Revelation 20:14 and are used of the eternal state of the wicked. It is "second" relative to the preceding physical death of the wicked in unbelief and rejection of God; their eternal state is one of eternal "death" (i.e. separation from God) in sins John 8:21,24. That the second death is not annihilation is shown by a comparison of ; Revelation 19:20; 20:10. After one thousand years in the lake of fire the Beast and False Prophet are still there, undestroyed. The words "forever and forever" ("to the ages of the ages") are used in Hebrews 1:8 for the duration of the throne of God, eternal in the sense of unending.

Verse 12

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angels
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 17

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 21

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street
Revelation 22:2, cf: Revelation 3:4.

Verse 24

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saved
Scofield "Romans 1:16".

CHAPTER 22

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Verse 8

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angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 11

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See definitions O.T. righteousness Luke 2:25 N.T. righteousness (See Scofield "Romans 3:21") , Romans 10:10 righteous living 1 John 3:7 self-righteousness Romans 10:3.
holy
Sanctification, holiness, Summary:

  • (1) In both Testaments the same Hebrew and Greek words are rendered by the English works "sanctify" and "holy," in their various grammatical forms. The one uniform meaning is, "to set apart for God."
  • (2) In both Testaments the words are used of "things" and "persons".
  • (3) When used of things no moral quality is implied; they are sanctified or made holy because set apart for God.
  • (4) Sanctification when used of persons has a threefold meaning.
  • (a) In position, believers are eternally set apart for God by redemption, "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once" Hebrews 10:9,10. Positionally, therefore, believers are "saints" and "holy" from the moment of believing ; Philippians 1:1; Hebrews 3:1.
  • (b) In experience, the believer is being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures John 17:17; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25,26; 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24
  • (c) In consummation, the believer's complete sanctification awaits the appearing of the Lord Ephesians 5:27; 1 John 3:2 See "Salvation," (See Scofield "Romans 1:16").


Verse 19

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Inspiration: Summary. The testimony of the Bible to itself.

  • (1) The writers affirm, where they speak of the subject at all, they speak by direct divine authority.
  • (2) They invariably testify that the words, and not the ideas merely, are inspired. The most important passage is 1 Corinthians 2:7-15 which see.
  • (3) The whole attitude of Jesus Christ toward the Old Testament, as disclosed in His words, both before His death and after His resurrection, confirms its truth and divine origin, and He explicitly ascribes the Pentateuch to Moses.
  • (4) In promising subsequent revelations after the predicted advent of the Spirit John 16:12-15 our Lord prepared the way for the New Testament.
  • (5) The writers of the New Testament invariably treat the Old Testament as authoritative and inspired. (See Scofield "2 Peter 1:19"). See Scofield "1 Corinthians 2:13".


life Eternal life, Summary of the teaching:

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